I predict...I predict......I predict.......... that Brett Favre will make an anouncement that he will be playing this coming Saturday the 8th of April!!!

Actually...I heard a rumor today that Brett Favre will make an announcement this coming Saturday saying he WILL play this year. That same little birdy (actually... it was the dude that delivers our paper for the print shop... he's about 250 lbs and drives a truck... oh and a Steeler fan) told me that Charles Woodson will also be making an nnouncement that he's signing with Green Bay.

I've tried to confirm this all day but... nope... can't find confirmation... but if it comes true... you must all heil my almighty prognistational skills!!!Muauauauauauauh!!!!

Speaking of Brett... ya know my nephew (a die hard Bears fan... actually drove his butt from Central PA to Chicago just to see the Panther/Bear playoff game... now that's die hard) yeah... well my nephew Steve actually said to me... he feels genuine bad that Favre is ruining his reputation and the good will around the league, that he's built up. Even though he's a Bears fan... and by nature hates Brett and all things Favreleous... He still has respect for him.

The problem with Brett Favre taking his time to divulge whether he will retire or return for one more season with the Green Bay Packers is that it has made him more of a target of criticism than the object of affection and admiration he has been for the better part of 15 years. The longer this drags on, the more opinions form about Favre's decision-making process.

Rather than determining whether he still has the fire in his belly to take his place under center for a 16th season, is this really about Favre wanting to show the Packers who's boss? After displaying such extraordinary balance between his larger-than-life status and small-town, Mississippi roots, are we seeing an unsavory tilt toward abuse of power?

In one form or another, these are the questions being asked and answered (for the most part, it seems, with a resounding yes) on a regular basis throughout Packerland and in numerous other public forums. Just the other day, former Green Bay tight end Mark Chmura, who once called Favre a teammate and friend, offered his two venomous cents by saying on his radio show in Milwaukee, "People who don't think that it's all about him are fooling themselves."

For the record, it's hard to imagine pondering one's retirement being anything other than an intensely personal act. But the more days and weeks that pass without a decision from Favre, the less fairness there will be in every assessment. Perception has taken charge of this story. Instead of considering that Favre just might genuinely be struggling to make what he considers the right decision for him and his family, as well as for the Packers, it's simpler to conclude that he is merely being selfish.

Favre certainly hasn't helped his public-relations cause by telling a reporter in Mississippi, in reference to a since-revised April 1 deadline for the Packers to pay him a $3-million roster bonus, "If I don't tell them by (April 1), what will they do, cut me?"

Yes, the quote did sound smug. No, I do not think it captured the essence of Favre, the person, or how his career should be defined or remembered.

The situation in which he finds himself is incredibly rare for an athlete in almost any professional sport. He has the chance to say "when" on his career. Most of the time, someone else makes that call, but it's different when you're one of the biggest stars in your sport and when you still have a productive season, if not two, left in your body.

Favre also has raised some legitimate questions about the quality of his supporting cast and whether there will be enough surrounding talent for him to end his career with a postseason run. That, of course, has only fed the perception of selfishness and an ego run wild.

New Packers coach Mike McCarthy recently gave Favre some sound advice when, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, he told him, "…the things you need to focus on (are), No. 1, playing quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and being the leader that you have been since 1992, and don't worry about the other stuff … who we're signing, who's coming here. Football probably was best for him when it was the most fun. It was the most fun when it was the simplest."

Here's some additional sound advice, Brett. Let's not stretch this out too much longer. You should not be more of a target of criticism than the object of affection and admiration.

Favre's decision lag has critics taking aim

Ted Thompson and the Packers draftWritten by Joe Arrigo - for PackerChatters 4/5/2006

OPINION ARTICLEAs the off season continues it seems to some that Ted Thompson and the Packers are not being as active as a team with over $30 million dollars the cap space would normally be. Thompson has said from the onset of his hire that he believes in building through the draft and signing free agents to contracts that were smart and good for the Packers.

All seem to be solid players with an upside, and landing Rodgers at the #24 spot, just days before he was projected as the top pick, was a coup. Collins has the look of an all pro and Hawkins, who has been working out with Deion Sanders, has the tools to be very special. He did this while dealing with a "lame duck" coach (who was also the former GM) also having to make tough decisions with some very good players, oh yeah, and having to wait and see if a guy named Brett Favre was gonna retire, or play.

A little over a year later it is almost the polar opposite. The Packers coming off a 4 and 12 season, have the 5th overall pick in a draft that includes the most electrifying player in NCAA history (Reggie Bush), a player that is being compared to Reggie White and Julius Peppers (Mario Williams) and a Linebacker that is being called the best since Urlacher (AJ Hawk). Did I mention the Tight end that ran a 4.3 forty at the combine and is a "freak" by all standards (Vernon Davis)? Thompson has been all over the place, Texas, USC, Florida, Ohio St. and a slew of other college campus' to find "his guy".

Reggie Bush in all honesty is the best "fit" for the Packers and the offense new Head Coach Mike McCarthy wants to run (a zone blocking, old school west coast offense). Bush is the most complete running back to enter the draft since Marshall Faulk, and the most exciting since Barry Sanders. The Packers would have to trade up to land him. Mario Williams would be the "complete" defensive end with the pass rushing skills to compliment KGB, but he doesn't always play hard every down. Hawk is the best Linebacker in this draft, but Thompson views LB's as a dime a dozen. Davis is the hot name right now, but the Packers invested a lot of money in Bubba Frank and have promising Donald Lee as the back up. A lot of questions will be answered in the upcoming days...except one!

Brett Favre. He has been everything to the Packers and the NFL for 14 years now. The Packers poor season has him questioning his desire to play anymore. He would like Thompson to be proactive in free agency, but he has yet to give the Packers the same commitment regarding his own future. He is 20 TD passes away from breaking Dan Marino's record. He is a legend, and deserves some time to make his mind up, but the last 4 years he has kept the Packers, NFL and the fans on the seat of their pants waiting to see IF he will return. I expect a decision either the weekend of the 6th (at his golf tournament) or the weekend before the draft.

Finally, Thompson's ability, or inability to bring in players to help stop the bleeding is in question. He has tried to bring in a Kicker, Adam Vinatieri, to replace Ryan Longwell, only to be turned away because he wanted to kick in a dome. Thompson also has brought in former all pro Charles Woodson and is awaiting his answer on a deal. Ryan Pickett has been brought in as Grady Jackson's replacement, and Ben Taylor also signed to be Nail Diggs successor. Thompson's belief is build through the draft, but add players to fill the void for a year or two, depending on the rookies development. He also signed a few other players to add depth to the team, while sticking to his plan that has a long term vision. He made that clear at the owners meetings in Florida last week.

The jury is out on Thompson.

Is he the person most responsible for the 4-12 season, Partly. He had to clean up some mistakes made by the former GM, and had to bite the bullet, so to speak. He is 1 year into running this franchise, and some already want his head on a platter, but is that deserving? Sherman had 5 years to run the Packers and made many questionable moves. Why hold Thompson is such low regard while NOT looking at the mistakes of Sherman? This is no poke at the job Sherman did, he did add Walker and Barnett through the draft, but his mistakes in free agency have hurt as well. Thompson deserves at least another year or two before he has his day with the executioner, and remember the Patriots have had the same approach and they are/were considered a dynasty.

0 CommentsPublished by PackerPundit
On Wednesday, April 05, 2006 at 6:44 PM.